Sunday, April 22, 2012

Film Review: Summer Camp Nightmare (1987)

best scary moviesSYNOPSIS:

Ah the 1980’s summer camp. For some of us reading this can bring up some great memories of campfires and ghost stories. It could also bring back memories of panty raids and shaving cream wars. It can bring up memories of lost love and stolen kisses at the summer dance. In Donald “Duck” Poultry’s case it’s none of the above. Not only is Donald somewhat of a social outcast (he’s an electrical genius going into seventh grade) he’s soon going to find himself caught up with the “cool kids” at the camp. Ya know the cool kids who kidnap the camp director and all of the counselors and decide to have a bloodless coup in order to take back not only their camp, but the girl’s camp as well….sounds like a fun summer!

REVIEW:


Year: 1987
Directed by: Bert L. Dragin
Starring: Chuck Conner, Adam Carl, Stuart Rogers, Tom Fridley


“Where did they get this guy Alcatraz?”


Oh man I remember this one from my childhood. Pretty sure Cinemax had this thing on repeat the summer of 1988 and I am sure there are a lot of you out there reading this now remember seeing it for the first time then. Though I have discovered in my years that most people don’t know this 80’s classic by its title…however if one were to start singing the “beef bologna” song from the films soundtrack you would find that quite a lot of people have seen this nugget of 80’s exploitation. I have in the past actually referred to this film as “that beef bologna movie?”



The premise of Summer Camp Nightmare is pretty simple to conceive. A group of young kids ranging from very young to teenagers are about to start their summer at Camp North Pines (this is the boys camp and where the story mainly takes place….the girls camp Camp South Pines is a little ways away). Immediately one of the counselors named Manuel starts singing a song about the camp and a great 80’s montage gets under way…..oh I hope you like 80’s montage’s cause there is quite a few in the film. There is also a one liner chucking and rapping heavy weight that will leave you shaking your head. Okay I thought this movie was better than this when I was a kid…..but the 80’s hold up in a way that no other decade could and this film is soaked in it from its hairstyles and short shorts to a Madonna wanna be performing at the camp talent show….this is the same segment where the beef bologna song also comes on.
The boys of the camp however soon learn that their summer is going to be cut short by an unruly tyrant of a camp director named Mr. Warren. Mr. Warren takes away the boys television leaving them only able to watch the religious channel, of course hijinks ensue and the boys get their glimpse of some naked flesh only to have it ripped away again. The camp is extremely under staffed and has allowed some of the older kids to act as Counselors in Training….or CIT’s for short.



The CIT’s for Camp North Pines include Stan Runk aka Runk the Punk, a kid whose attitude is definitely worse than his hairstyle. Tom Fridley (from Friday the 13th part 6 and The Karate Kid) also has a role as the CIT John.


The most interesting of the CIT’s however is Franklin. Franklin doesn’t swim in the lake and instead spends his time reading Thoreau and rescuing Donald who can’t swim. Franklin also crosses a dangerous and rotting rope bridge almost taunting death. He informs all of the other kids that society uses fear to control them and that once they could control fear they can control society….for real in 1988 my young mind thought this was epic.



Mr. Warren takes some of the younger campers, I mean really young, on a butterfly hunt. One of the boys comes back from the hunt with a story for Franklin that suggests that Mr. Warren might have something wrong with him. The whole event becomes a catalyst where eventually Franklin suggests they take over the camp themselves. The group kidnaps and holds hostage Mr. Warren and all of the other counselors and then proceeds to liberate the girls camp as well.



Of course the children go wild which leads to more wonderful 80’s montages and plenty of fooling around. Dragin’s film takes a dark twist near the end of this phase when the children suddenly find themselves behaving like wild savages.



There are times when the editing can be choppy and yes the acting can come across soaked in cheese but Summer Camp Nightmare is still enjoyable for the most part. It really is a great piece of nostalgic exploitation from the good old summer vacations in the late 1980’s. The characters are stereotypes, but again all of this leads to the films charm….definitely worth checking out…even if you are only ever able to find it at the bootleg table at horror cons.


Summer Camp Nightmare (1987)


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Saturday, April 21, 2012

Trailer: Blood Forest (2009)

 

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Virgil Williams, an alcoholic down and out tabloid reporter from the UK is sent to Arkansas to investigate a Big Foot sighting and is caught between the town Sheriff and the last remaining brave from Arkansas’s “Cave Tribe” and Vietnam vet, James Levi Wiley.


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Friday, April 20, 2012

RIP Jonathan Frid – A Horror Icon Passes

I literally could not believe this when I read it on Facebook this morning.


Actor Jonathan Frid who claimed horror icon status with his portrayal of Barnabas Collins on “Dark Shadows” passed away on Saturday in Hamilton, Ontario. He was 87 years old.


Some of the fondest memories of my young horror fandom as sitting in front of the TV and watching Frid creep around as the frightening and menacing Barnabas.


He had just recently filmed a cameo for the big screen remake of his show “Dark Shadows” which of course stars Johnny Depp.


Frid affected a entire generation of horror fans and was one of the first exposures to the genre for a whole army of fans who tuned in weekly to watch the ghastly goings on at Collinwood Manor.


He will be greatly missed by a genre that loved and appreciated him.


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Interview: Diana Cherkas (My Little Demon)

Exclusive Horrornews.net Interview w/ Diana Cherkas
Movie: My Little Demon


What can you tell us about your role as Evie in My Little Demon?


Evie is a perfectionist who is so far from perfect when we meet her–full of guilt and failure. She’s tightly wound, just beginning to unravel. When her therapist, Rebecca, begins to challenge Evie’s perception of reality, all Hell breaks loose.


How was it working with Steven James Creazzo?


Intense, in a good way. Steven really had a clear vision. We went into the shoot fully rehearsed, so we knew exactly where we needed to be in each moment to heighten the suspense. It made the whole shoot easier, more relaxed between takes.


What attracted you this movie, My Little Demon?

From the first time I read the script, I completely connected to Evie. She’s a very complex character, logical but caught up in emotion and superstition. I was also attracted to the ambiguity in the ending. I felt certain that I knew what happened. When I met Ali, she felt sure it went the other way. We kept debating it, back and forth. That’s when I knew it wouldn’t just be a fun film to watch, but it could actually rile up a “what really happened” kind of argument. I love films like that.


Do you have a most memorable scene from My Little Demon?

Ack, spoiler alert! No, I won’t do it. It’s hard to say without giving something away. Let’s just say, I really enjoyed working with the weapons.


Do you recall any interesting behind the scenes memories from making My Little Demon?


It was such a fun shoot, it’s hard to pick one. There was a good vibe on set, and it was lovely shooting up in the mountains in Prattsville. A couple of times when I was staring out the window, a deer would walk by, or hummingbirds would stop to eat! You don’t get that shooting in the city.


How did your favorite horror movie from your childhood?

Honestly, I can’t watch horror movies. Is that bad? I know it probably sounds terrible, since this is a horror site, and I’m in a horror movie. But I don’t have the stomach for it. I think it’s why I make a good victim. I’m super squeamish.


How did you get involved in acting?



I always knew I wanted to be an actor. I did voiceovers as a kid, went to LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts, then the Moscow Art Theatre. So I went the super traditional route.


Any actors or directors who you would love to work with?


Too many to name, probably. Honestly, I’d love to work with anyone who’s passionate about what they do. If you really care about the overall quality of your project, then good things will come of it. My Little Demon fell into that category – everyone involved really cared about the project. I think that shows in the final cut.


Do you believe in the paranormal?

Yes and no. Yes to ghosts in general, haunted spaces, and whatnot. No to malicious goblins and vampires and werewolves. When I did the episode of A Haunting for the Discovery Channel, the story was so elaborate and demonic, that I couldn’t quite believe it. Or maybe that’s just the squeamish part of me not wanting to believe in the more evil, creepy kinds of paranormal stuff because if I did, I would never sleep again. Ever.


What other projects do you have coming up?

I’m currently performing on stage in the world premiere of a one-woman show about the victims of Jack the Ripper. See, I told you I make a good victim! I’m also working on a web series called Nightwing (the episode introducing my character can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xaCwxdJnGs  ). On the other end of the spectrum, I have a sketch comedy troupe, STuFF, which produces live shows and comedy videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/StufffilmsComedy .


Dreamality Entertainment is proud to announce that MY LITTLE DEMON is an official selection at this years, FRIGHT FEST FILM FESTIVAL.


Fright Fest Film Festival website – http://www.frightnightfilmfest.com/
Trailer – http://vimeo.com/38191138
Fox News Clip – http://vimeo.com/35114157


Interview: Diana Cherkas (My Little Demon)


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Giveaway: 'Twilight' Limited Edition Fandango Gift Card

Update: Thanks to all who participated! This giveaway entry period has ended. The winner will be notified via e-mail.


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Good news, Twi-hards and movie lovers! We're giving away another $50 Breaking Dawn Fandango Bucks gift card to rile you up for the opening of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1. Check out all the Breaking Dawn Limited Edition Fandango Gift Cards featuring Bella, Edward and Jacob. For the first time, they're customizable, so you can create your own personal gift card. You can use them to buy tickets for any movie that's ticketing on Fandango. 

To enter our giveaway, post a comment to this blog post [one comment per entrant, please] with your answer to the following question: Who do you think is the most villainous character in The Twilight Saga and why? (Please be courteous not to include spoilers.) Enter one comment from now until 6 p.m. PST on Oct. 26, 2011, and we'll randomly select one lucky winner.We'll have more swag to give away leading up to the Nov. 18 opening of Breaking Dawn, so visit our exclusive Twilight Saga Movie Guide for details, features, and exclusive video.Share 

"Welcome to the party, pal."


"When am I gonna learn how to punch?"


"These go to eleven."


"Benjamin, have you ever been severely beaten about the face & neck?"


"Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming."


"You're gonna need a bigger boat."


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Film Review: The Raven (2012)

SYNOPSIS:


When a madman begins committing horrific murders inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s works, a young Baltimore detective joins forces with Poe to stop him from making his stories a reality.


REVIEW:


I’m no student of Edgar Allen Poe, I admit that fully & without fear of prejudice from anyone reading this review who might take umbrage with some of my opinions. I’ve read “The Raven” and “Annabel Lee” though and I’ve seen all of Roger Corman’s classic film adaptations of Poe’s work like “The Pit And The Pendulum” and “Masque Of The Red Death” (A personal favorite). But although I respect the man and his work, I hardly thought of him as some sort of action hero. Yet in James McTigue’s (V For Vendetta) latest film that is exactly how we’re supposed to envision the man. And while “The Raven” does have some moments of true suspense & a fair amount of grue as well ultimately it fails on a few fronts that just made it feel like more of a well produced cable movie for me. let me explain…



The Raven” posits that there is a madman on the loose who is murdering people exactly as Poe has murdered them in his published work. Lead detective Fields (Luke Evans) recognizes the similarities and enlists Poe to capture the murderer. The murderer leaves clues at the scene of each murder and who better than Poe to interpret the clues and (Hopefully) figure out the killer’s next move and capture him before he murders someone else? The murders (Those that are featured onscreen anyway) are quite graphic & gory, surprisingly so in fact. But we are actually witness to one in all it’s gruesome glory, the others are shown after the dirty deeds are done but they are still exceedingly gruesome to look at.



Poe (John Cusack) immediately deciphers the first clue he’s given as being related to “The Masque Of The Red Death” and as there is a gala masquerade ball taking place the following night Fields convinces Captain Hamilton (Brendan Gleeson) who is running the event to allow him to put station some of his men amongst the revelers to capture the suspect as it is believed that he must arrive in a costume representing death in one way, shape or form. Well they get a man who bursts into the ball on a horse wearing a skull mask but not only is he not the suspect but as he created a diversion, Hamilton’s lovely daughter Emily (Alice Eve) is abducted & is now being held captive by the villain. The decoy on the horse has a message from him as well, one in which he challenges Poe to figure out where Emily is before she too is murdered. Although Hamilton despises the very sight of Poe (Who was to announce his intent to marry Emily at the ball), he must allow Poe to become part of the investigation since everything the killer bases his crimes are come from Poe’s written work.


The Raven” starts out slowly, showing us how far Edgar has fallen. He is an extremely opinionated drunk who suffers no fool and has no issues with critiquing other writers of the day whose work he finds inferior. There’s a great scene early in the film in which Poe is gobsmacked when he finds out that a piece he had written for the local newspaper was not used & replaced by a poem from Longfellow (Longfellow? LONGFELLOW?) whom he despises. As Poe, Cusack initially turned me off. His decision to portray Poe as a bug eyed, bellowing drunkard might have been historically accurate but he really chews up the scenery with an energy that reminded me of Nicholas Cage at the height of his, for lack of a better word, “Caginess”. But as the film progresses, he calms down since he has to pour all of that wanton energy into finding the woman that he loves. What started out as a “UH-OH” type of performance for me turned out to be a very nuanced one in which Cusack really displayed his range as one of the better (And criminally, unsung) actors of his generation.



All of the performances in the film are well cast and help to convey the period the film takes place in (Baltimore, 1879). I did find it odd that there were some English accents strewn about among some of the characters while others seemed to sound like they came straight out of a episode of “Jersey Shore”. It was a bit disconcerting for me to say the least but hardly a deal breaker. I also had a problem with the manner in which the crimes were disseminated by Detective Fields. Now I am no expert on police procedurals of the 1800's but it seemed to me that Fields was a lot more competent than I would’ve thought a detective of that time might be. Sometimes he sounded like he was in an episode of “CSI” circa 1879 and while I (Admittedly) know nothing of how detectives investigated murders back then, something tells me that they weren’t this good. As Fields, Evans brings a bit of panache & determination to the role that was refreshing if a bit too modern sounding. Alice Eve & Brendan Gleeson are suitably convincing as father/daughter also. Ms. Eve has a near porcelain quality to her skin and is also suitably busty enough to wear the dresses of the era and Gleeson is appropriately gruff yet displays his feelings towards both Emily and Poe without leaving any doubt in the audiences mind.



The film looks amazing as well with excellent production design/cinematography throughout. A lot of thought went behind how this movie was going to look and it shows. In a film like this poor design and lighting would kill it before the opening credits have finished rolling but not here. Kudos to Roger Ford (Production design) & Danny Ruhlmann (Cinematography). It was shot in Belgrade and the look & feel of the backdrops are spot on. James McTeigue’s direction shows a strong understanding of the material & despite Cusack’s wild acting in the opening scenes of the film the film never drags and gets stronger as it moves ahead.


So what didn’t I like about “The Raven”? Well for starters, it’s about 20 minutes too long. Listed at 111 minutes in length it felt 30 minutes longer. Ten to fifteen minutes could have been shorn from it’s total running time with no noticeable difference. And the use of a Raven (Or Ravens) in nearly every other scene became extremely heavyhanded and obvious. The audience already knows what the name of the film is, we didn’t need to be reminded every other scene or so. and it’s fairly well known that Poe was something of an odd bird already, the inclusion of a raccoon as Poe’s pet seemed a bit over the top to me. It was a unnecessary quirk that seemed tacked on to make him seem even more peculiar.


There is a scene in which Emily seemingly becomes one extremely tough woman which seemed to be the polar opposite of the character we were introduced to in the beginning of the film. I won’t go into detail but you’ll know what scene I’m talking about when it arrives, I thought it was stupid and contrived. Some of the editing seemed to be scattershot as well. In one scene, we see Poe surrounded by policemen yet in the next scene he’s all alone in a foggy forest being shot at by the killer. And the bullet comes at him as if it was shot from a gun that existed in “The Matrix”, in slow motion with a shiny veneer to it. And does Poe take cover afterwards? Nope..he just sits there waiting for another slow motion slug to be shot at him. And when the killer is revealed, he tells Poe of his next target…Jules Verne! I’d love to know how he was planning to recreate some of Verne’s more elaborate creations, was he planning to build the “Nautilus”?



“The Raven” smacks of an attempt to recreate the success of Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” films. The attempt to make Poe some sort of action hero doesn’t fail entirely but it doesn’t quite succeed either. John Cusack’s Poe doesn’t radiate the machismo that Robert Downey Jr’s Holmes does but the role wasn’t written that way so it’s not a killer blow to it’s success. The film ends with Poe sitting on a park bench just as it begins, how & why he ends up there is the meat of the story and it’s a pretty satisfying one but something is missing here. I wish I could put my finger on it but right now all I can say is that while I enjoyed it…It still left me feeling a bit empty when it was all said and done. But it’s hardly a bad film and it is an entertaining one so “The Raven” merits a three out of five on my Shroud-ometer. You don’t have to drop whatever you’re doing to see it on opening weekend but it is worth a watch when you have a couple of hours & $12 bucks to kill.



The Raven (2012)


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Interview: Anthony DP Mann (Terror of Dracula)

Exclusive Horrornews.net Interview w/ Anthony DP Mann (writer/ filmmaker)
Movie: Terror of Dracula


How close is your story to Bram Stoker’s classic?

Hi, Horrornews.net!
As a Dracula fan-boy myself, I hold the source material in such reverence! The film is very much faithful in spirit to Stoker’s original novel. In fact, I’d suggest it’s one of the more faithful adaptations in the past two decades. Naturally, there were certain areas (locations / characters) where liberties were taken, due to budgetary limitations… that said, I truly believe that our Dracula is very much in line with the original concept of the character, and I think we may have even succeeded at making the Count scary again!


Why did you decide to play Dracula?


I am primarily an actor, first and foremost, although I thoroughly enjoy the film making process – all aspects, from writing to shooting to editing. That said, by no means is this a “vanity project” (ha-ha!). I liken my involvement to a singer-songwriter who writes their music, then gets up on stage with a band and performs it… I had a specific interpretation that I wanted to give, and that’s all part of my storytelling process. Every member of the Terror of Dracula family – from cast to crew – has a, essential role to play. Dracula is relegated (as is the case in the book) to a supporting part, and others (for example Terry Wade as Prof. Van Helsing, or Ilke Hincer as Quincy Morris) are allowed to shine. There’s a lot of joy in that, too. Besides, I have played Dracula before, on stage and on radio — I never shy at the chance to play a baddie ;-)


What was your greatest challenge making “Terror of Dracula”?


So many challenges! I often joke to people: “Never make a movie!” – but I think I’m secretly a sadomasochist who enjoys the Hellish process of it all – the on-the-spot troubleshooting, etc. The greatest challenge, for me, was to create something where the cracks didn’t show – something that I could watch and enjoy. Furthermore, trying to convince institutions such as the managing board at Fort Henry (etc) that we could produce a legitimate, respectable Dracula movie on a shoestring budget and with almost impossible time restrictions – without being laughed out the door — well, that was indeed a formidable task! To my own credit / all of the cast and crew – and those kind and patient folks I reached out to in the community – we did find many open doors to us, and we DID pull-off a great Dracula movie, that I take great pride and joy in watching .


Why did you decide to film in Kingston’s Fort Henry?


Fort Henry is an incredible, historic location on the outskirts of Kingston (Ontario) where I live and work. It has all these incredible, limestone interiors and subterranean passageways – huge doors and battlements – it’s actually a Unesco World Heritage site, and served as the perfect substitute for Castle Dracula, and various other authentic Victorian interiors. We were so lucky, and (once warmed-up to the idea) the powers-that-be at Fort Henry were so very obliging. What a treat! But spiders… oy, the BIG spiders… (shudder)


Tell us about the retro feel of your movie?


The film is certainly an homage to those classic horror films that I grew-up with on late night TV – the old Hammer / Amicus and euro features. In fact, I’ve added a title card that informs this film is the “forgotten” Dracula, suggesting it was produced at the same time as, say, the Franco or Hammer film adaptations, but lost amongst the shuffle. We’ve added aging and artefacting to give it a true 70s / almost grindhouse look. Even the title, “Terror of Dracula” – it sounds like an un-made Hammer title, doesn’t it? How often have you heard it said “They don’t make films like that anymore…”? Well, we just did.


What Dracula movie inspires you the most?


My favourite Dracula film of all time is Jess Franco’s 1970 “Conde dracula”, starring Christopher Lee. It was the first Dracula film I saw as a kid, and it has stuck with me ever since. It’s certainly a guilty pleasure, but a wonderful exercise in what can be accomplished with a small budget and a passion for the source material. People either love or hate this film – I adore it… more people should see it. I’m also a huge fan of the 1977 BBC TV production starring Louis Jourdan… no finer Dracula adaptation has been produced.


What was your proudest moment of making “Terror of Dracula”?


My proudest moment? There are so many. The fact that we got it done… the fact that a stranger from another country, Bill Bossert (producer) contacted me and offered to fund my dream-project — Bill and I have become great friends since, and I love him like a brother… the fact that audiences are responding so favourably to this “little film that could”. I’ve no formal training in film-making, save for a life-long love of cinema… we not a studio production, and we had no intention of following the current trend of cruel, gross-out horror — we made an old-fashioned, indie horror film, and got it RIGHT! But, I think the coolest thing of all, is the fact that Fangoria Magazine is about to publish a 3-page feature article on the film. When I was a kid, all of my friends wanted to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated or Teen Magazine — I wanted to be in Fangoria. Well, now I’m there… how awesome is that?


Do you have any interesting behind the scenes stories?


When you are making a film like this, and treating the material so seriously, you’re bound to have LOTS of giggles and crazy things happening behind the scenes. From a rogue bat that frightened the bezeezus out of Dracula (I’ll never live that down), to staking and decapitating a vampire in a church basement (ha – try pitching that one!), roping my dentist into creating some vampire fangs for me (thanks, Dr. Morison!) to almost having the cops called whilst out doing a little guerrilla-style shooting at an un-used asylum (you do what you have to in the world of indie cinema)… it was an absolute roller-coaster! Too many tales to tell… and too many reputations that could be destroyed ;-) Ha-ha!


Where can our Horrornews.net fans see “Terror of Dracula”?


The film is currently available on DVD through our website (www.newdraculamovie.com) and on Amazon. We are always scheduling as many screenings as possible, as I’m a theatre Mann at heart — I love watching audience reactions first-hand. We want to find as many creative ways as possible, to ensure as many people as possible get to see “Terror of Dracula”.


Do you think you would make another Dracula movie?


I’d love to return to Dracula – and I’ve even got a great idea for a follow-up film (heck, hammer did a ton of ‘em!)… but I’d also like to explore some of the other classics. I’m very keen to do my own take on “Phantom of the Opera”, and have even found an old theatre that would be ideal for the shoot! Fingers crossed “Terror of Dracula” opens that door – if we move enough copies, I’m hoping to team again with Bill to bring you more old-school horror!
Thanks to our friends at Horrornews.net for the opportunity to chat about “Terror of Dracula”… cheers!


Interview: Anthony DP Mann (Terror of Dracula)

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